Plankton: Wonders of the Drifting World. 2015. 550 col. photogr. 222 p. Hardcover.

Covers zoo- and phytoplankton. The focus is on zooplankton, but also diatoms are covered as well as phytoplankton (2 chapters).

Viewing plankton up close for the first time can be a thrilling experiencean elaborate but hidden world truly opens up before your eyes. Through hundreds of close-up photographs, Plankton transports readers into the currents, where jeweled chains hang next to phosphorescent chandeliers, spidery claws jut out from sinuous bodies, and gelatinous barrels protect microscopic hearts. The creatures vibrant colors pop against the black pages, allowing readers to examine every eye and follow every tentacle. Jellyfish, tadpoles, diatoms, phytoplankton, and bacteria all find a place in the book, representing the broad scope of organisms dependent on drifting currents.

The author explains the biological underpinnings of each species while connecting them to the larger living world. He begins with planktons origins and history, then dives into each group, covering ctenophores and cnidarians, crustaceans and mollusks, and worms and tadpoles. He also demonstrates the indisputable impact of plankton in our lives. Plankton drift through our world mostly unseen, yet they are diverse organisms that form ninety-five percent of ocean life. Biologically, they are the foundation of the aquatic food web and consume as much carbon dioxide as land-based plants. Culturally, they have driven new industries and captured artists imaginations.